Host and geographic differences in prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal helminths of foxes (Vulpes vulpes), coyotes (Canis latrans) and wolves (Canis lupus) in Québec, Canada

An understanding of the population dynamics and habitat of wild Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and Coyotes (Canis latrans) is a prerequisite to wildlife management. This information is also important in assessing the risk these wild canids pose to the public and domestic animals. On Prince Edward Island, information on age, sex, reproductive activity, and habitat use of 271 Red Foxes and 201 Coyotes was collected in the hunting and trapping season of 2004–2005. The estimated age of Red Foxes and Coyotes ranged from 0.5 to 13.5 years. A large proportion of harvested Red Foxes and Coyotes (58% and 48%, respectively) consisted of juveniles. The sex ratio was not significantly different from 1:1 for either species. Average litter size was 5.0 and 5.2 for Red Foxes and Coyotes, respectively. Number of placental scars ranged from 0 to 7 in Red Foxes and from 0 to 11 in Coyotes. Agricultural areas were the main habitat type (52%) of harvested Red Foxes. For harvested Coyotes, forest was the main habitat (44%), followed closely by agricultural areas (43%). Urban areas were a significant part (13%) of the habitat of Red Foxes. These data can be used to monitor population dynamics over time, provide information for wildlife management, and provide information on potential risk areas for disease transmission by wild canids.

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Low Prevalence ofEchinococcus multilocularisin Michigan, U.S.A.: A Survey of Coyotes (Canis latrans), Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and Gray Foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), 2009–2012

Comparative Parasitology ◽

10.1654/4752.1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 82 (2) ◽

pp. 285-290 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Julie R. Melotti ◽

Patrick M. Muzzall ◽

Daniel J. O’Brien ◽

Thomas M. Cooley ◽

Jean I. Tsao

Keyword(s):

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Canis Latrans ◽

Urocyon Cinereoargenteus ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Low Prevalence

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Helminths of wolves, Canis lupus L., in the Yukon and Northwest Territories

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z73-158 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 51 (10) ◽

pp. 1087-1091 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

L. P. E. Choquette ◽

G. G. Gibson ◽

E. Kuyt ◽

A. M. Pearson

Keyword(s):

Northwest Territories ◽

Echinococcus Granulosus ◽

Canis Lupus ◽

Trichinella Spiralis ◽

Gastrointestinal Helminths ◽

Taenia Hydatigena ◽

First Time ◽

Toxascaris Leonina

Wolves from the Yukon and Northwest Territories harbored the following gastrointestinal helminths: Alaria americana (10 of 171), A. arisaemoides (2/171), Diphyllobothrium sp, (1/171). Mesocestoidcs kirbyi (3/171), Taenia hydatigena (54/111), T. krabbei (63/111), T. pisiformis (2/111), T. serialis (41/111), Echinococcus granulosus (24/171), Toxascaris leonina (83/171). Uncinaria stenocephala (11/171), Spirocerca arctica (1/171), and S. lupi (1/171). Larval Trichinella spiralis occurred in 72 of 153 diaphragms. A. arisaemoides, M. kirbyi, and S. arctica were found for the first time in Canis lupus, while S. lupi, S. arctica, and the prevalence of T. spiralis in wolves are reported for the first time in Canada.

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Coyote foraging ecology and vigilance in response to gray wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z03-080 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 81 (6) ◽

pp. 985-993 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

T Adam Switalski

Keyword(s):

Canis Lupus ◽

Yellowstone National Park ◽

National Park ◽

Foraging Ecology ◽

Canis Latrans ◽

Gray Wolf ◽

Trade Off ◽

Cascading Effects ◽

Large Carnivore ◽

Continuous Source

Coyotes (Canis latrans) in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) have lived in the absence of wolves (Canis lupus) for over 60 years. I examined whether wolf reintroduction in 1995 and 1996 in YNP influenced coyote vigilance and foraging ecology. From December 1997 to July 2000, my co-workers and I collected 1708 h of coyote activity budgets. Once wolves became established in the Park, they once again provided a continuous source of carrion in the Lamar Valley and we found that coyotes began feeding on carcasses throughout the year. Although we documented that wolves killed coyotes, it also became clear that surviving coyotes quickly adjusted their behaviors when wolves were present. When coyotes were near wolves or in areas of high wolf use, they fed on carcasses much more; however, they increased the amount of time spent in vigilance activities and decreased rest. There appears to be a trade-off in which wolf kills provide a quick source of food that is energetically advantageous to coyotes; however, attendant costs included increased vigilance, decreased rest, and a higher risk of being killed. Changes in the behavior of coyotes in response to the reintroduction of this large carnivore may ultimately have wide-ranging cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.

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Diet analysis of mammals, raptors and reptiles in a complex predator assemblage in the Blue Mountains, eastern Australia

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo11082 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 59 (5) ◽

pp. 295 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Jack H. Pascoe ◽

Robert C. Mulley ◽

Ricky Spencer ◽

Rosalie Chapple

Keyword(s):

Field Study ◽

Canis Lupus ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Diet Overlap ◽

Diet Analysis ◽

Critical Weight ◽

Blue Mountains ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

High Level ◽

Wild Dogs

South-east Australia has a complex predator assemblage which has historically been vulnerable to introduced species. This is the first Australian field study to analyse samples from members of the families Canidae, Dasyuridae, Strigidae, and Varanidae to describe the diet and diet overlap between these predators. Samples were collected opportunistically and hair and bone analysis was used to identify the content of samples. Wild dogs (Canis lupus) and lace monitors (Varanus varius) predominantly consumed large mammalian prey, which contributed to the high level of diet overlap (Ojk = 0.79) between these two species. Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) also had a high level of diet overlap (Ojk = 0.76), a result of their diets containing a high proportion of medium-sized mammals. The diet of wild dogs and foxes showed moderate overlap (Ojk = 0.59), and foxes were more likely to prey on species within the critical weight range than on macropods, which made up a high proportion of the diet of wild dogs. These data confirm that significant diet overlap can occur between predators from different taxonomic classes and further investigation of potential competition will be important to ongoing management.

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NEOSPORA CANINUM–LIKE OOCYSTS OBSERVED IN FECES OF FREE-RANGING RED FOXES (VULPES VULPES) AND COYOTES (CANIS LATRANS)

Journal of Parasitology ◽

10.1645/ge-913r.1 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 92 (6) ◽

pp. 1270-1274 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Wendela Wapenaar ◽

Mark C. Jenkins ◽

Ryan M. O'Handley ◽

Herman W. Barkema

Keyword(s):

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Canis Latrans ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Free Ranging

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Serological evidence of Coxiella burnetii exposure in native marsupials and introduced animals in Queensland, Australia

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268811001828 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 140 (7) ◽

pp. 1304-1308 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

A. COOPER ◽

M. GOULLET ◽

J. MITCHELL ◽

N. KETHEESAN ◽

B. GOVAN

Keyword(s):

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Canis Lupus ◽

Sus Scrofa ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Q Fever ◽

Australian Isolate ◽

Brushtail Possum ◽

Residential Areas ◽

Serological Evidence ◽

Serum Samples

SUMMARYThe state of Queensland has the highest incidence of Q fever in Australia. In recent years, there has been an increase in human cases where no contacts with the typical reservoir animals or occupations were reported. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Australian native animals and introduced animals in northern and southeastern Queensland. Australian native marsupials sampled included the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and common northern bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus). Introduced species sampled included dingoes (Canis lupus dingo), cats (Felis catus), foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and pigs (Sus scrofa). Serum samples were tested by ELISA for both phase II and phase I antigens of the organism using an Australian isolate. The serological evidence of C. burnetii infection demonstrated in these species has public health implications due to their increasing movement into residential areas in regional Queensland. This study is the first known investigation of C. burnetii seroprevalence in these species in northern Queensland.

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